Killing in the Name – Today’s classic song and a couple of phenomenal but subdued covers. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #RageAgainsttheMachine #BlueSkyArchives #RichardCheese

Killing in the name of
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses”

Rage Against the Machine

I love it when groups burst onto the scene with a statement. Rage Against the Machine is a prime example. Back in 1992 this band set the industry on its ear with ‘Killing in the Name’. This rap metal act hit listeners right between the eyes with their song that encouraged the masses to speak out against systemic racism and police brutality. In some cases, the two sources of their discontent were inextricably linked. Over 25 years later and little has changed. Arguably, it is worse. How does a band bent on protest get their message across? They unleash an expletive laced tirade against the social ills that plague society. Repetition helps. The power of the band’s rage is enforced by the surge of the line;

Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me.”

Rage Against the Machine

It starts out low and mumbled and once it is repeated for the 17th time it becomes an outright chant. The songwriters; Tim Commerford, Zach de la Rocha, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk knew that they were building a formulaic anthem that would draw in the listener and inspire engagement.

‘Killing in the Name’ also drew on instances of modern history to fortify their point. There is nothing idealistic about this song. Documented facts related to the unfortunate truth that some members of U.S police forces were either members of, or had been proven to be working in conjunction with white supremacist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan. This ties in the burning crosses allusion. In addition to this Rage Against the Machine challenges the flawed military industrial complex. Above all, ‘Killing in the Name’ speaks to the serious racial tensions that existed in the United States in the early ‘90s. Specifically, the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police and the riots that occurred in that city when the four offending officers were acquitted of all charges.

The heavy guitar riffs employed in the song were created by guitarist Tom Morello while teaching one of his students a drop D tuning. Morello immediately stopped his lesson and recorded the riffs. He brought them to the studio the next day and the group worked together to write and record the defiant lyrics, intense bass line and funk based beat that all serve as a protest anthem to this day.

The band continued its history of being provocative and a lightning rod of controversy when they performed on Saturday Night Live on this day in 1996. They tried to hang American flags upside down on their amps during their performance. This was a way of protesting the fact that Republican Presidential hopeful Steve Forbes was hosting the show. The political philosophies of Republicans and Rage Against the Machine are clearly at odds. When the band was finished their song ‘Bulls on Parade’, producer Lorne Michaels was outraged and chased the band out of the studio. They have reportedly been banned from ever playing SNL again.

Not surprisingly ‘Killing in the Name’ has been covered by several artists since 1992.

Two covers that present the song in a very unconventional way intrigued me because they spoke to me due to their unique interpretation.

Listen to this version by Lauren Mayberry and her band Blue Sky Archives in 2011. A throwback to folk protest. Beautiful! It almost hits harder due to the contrast between the style and stark lyrical content. The Scottish singer and versatile musician comes across as a worthy protégé of Dolores O’Riordan. She is currently in a synth pop band called Chvrches. The name Chvrches is a case of marketing ingenuity in the sense that the v replaces the u in order to distinguish itself from the actual word ‘Church’. All the while it is a memorable name. Mayberry also has a solid resume as a social activist. Yet another intriguing voice in modern music that is highly recommended.

Whenever I get a chance I like to slide a little Richard Cheese onto the cracker so to speak. This is just phenomenal. It just isn’t long enough. Priceless! Enjoy, and if you agree with me, just play it again.